Myanmar coal power projects to be delayed

All of Myamar’s planned coal-fired power projects are likely to be delayed beyond the general election, which is set to be held on November 8, according to officials.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) for 11 coal-fired power plants was signed between the Ministry of Electric Power (MOEP) and local and international private companies in 2010, and other new coal power projects are also in the planning stage.

But none of the projects has yet moved forward due to wide opposition from civil society groups and local residents, who are concerned with social and environmental issues.

“There is no progress regarding coal-fired power plants. At the moment, ministers are no longer meeting with the developers of coal projects,” said an official from MOEP … “It seems that Union-level authorities would like to keep quiet about coal projects as the election is drawing near. So the projects will be delayed until after the election,” he said.